# Hey teachers re: "I'm not going to be an X, so why do I have to learn Y?" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 6, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815 "2014-05-06T15:33:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![enomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/1 "2014-05-06T15:33:57Z")
Where Y is the subject you teach and X is any job related to that subject. What do you say to those students? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/2 "2014-05-06T15:43:46Z")
“you’re sixteen. You don’t have any fucking idea what you’re going to be when you grow. Now shut up and do your algebra.” - not a teacher. ---
**Author:** ![Septima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Septima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Septima)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/3 "2014-05-06T16:07:15Z")
“Because if you don’t learn X, you’ll look like a fucking idiot in the real world. Seriously, people will think you’re mentally disabled, and ask if you need help at the grocery store. Adults know X.” Works like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/4 "2014-05-06T16:09:18Z")
“Because X is fucking fascinating, and you don’t want to lose the joy of understanding it”. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/5 "2014-05-06T16:17:41Z")
“You’re right. You can go home now.” ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/6 "2014-05-06T16:22:26Z")
The average adult changes careers once a decade on average, so it’s always a good thing to have the broadest possible background; plus the whole idea of a liberal arts education is to make one a better citizen, and that includes learning about a lot of things–even the ones that don’t seem to matter in the short term. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/7 "2014-05-06T16:25:07Z")
Well, despite **Miller’s** perfect response, and depending on the subject, sometimes I would agree with the bratty 16 year old. Some subjects should be not “required” for a high school graduation. I’m fine with “suggested” and “encouraged,” but every high school graduate doesn’t need to take two years of a foreign language, or take calculus. Also, like most of life, you make your choices and suffer the consequences. If 45 year-old me is kicking myself because I never learned music in high school, well, that was my choice. In general, however, society gets to say what a “basic” education should include and I’m not troubled by every student having to be exposed to a certain level of math, history, literature, and science. We can quibble about where we draw the line for the minimum. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/8 "2014-05-06T16:31:54Z")
[Not a teacher] Algebra/math teaches you to problem solve. Not directly, but it trains your brain to work logically. Learning a foreign language helps you learn your own language better. Since you have to learn the new language from square one, you end up applying those principles to your native language as well. Also, this XKCD > **[Forgot Algebra](https://xkcd.com/1050/)** > > The only things you HAVE to know are how to make enough of a living to stay alive and how to get your taxes done. All the fun parts of life are optional. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/9 "2014-05-06T16:35:39Z")
The fact that you think X job is the only use for Y just shows how much you don’t know. Once you learn a little Y, you’ll realize how useful it is. Besides, you can’t graduate without it, and no matter what the brochure says, a GED is not the same thing as a high school diploma. Your job applications will get put on the pile underneath the ones belonging to the people with genuine diplomas. Do you want me just to paint the big “L” on your forehead now, or would you like me to give you the homework assignment? ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/10 "2014-05-06T16:36:04Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Well, despite **Miller’s** perfect response, and depending on the subject, sometimes I would agree with the bratty 16 year old. Some subjects should be not “required” for a high school graduation. I’m fine with “suggested” and “encouraged,” but every high school graduate doesn’t need to take two years of a foreign language, or take calculus. Also, like most of life, you make your choices and suffer the consequences. If 45 year-old me is kicking myself because I never learned music in high school, well, that was my choice. In general, however, society gets to say what a “basic” education should include and I’m not troubled by every student having to be exposed to a certain level of math, history, literature, and science. We can quibble about where we draw the line for the minimum. Is there a place where they have to take a foreign language and calc? Minnesota requires math through Alegbra II, but you don’t have to pass it - to graduate you can take Algebra II twice (or be identified as only requiring remedial math). And you don’t need a foreign language to graduate. The problem is that college admission - except for open enrollment schools and community college, almost always requires two or even three years of that damn language and math through Trig. And if you CAN do calc in high school and are thinking about a STEM major - the high school counselors are going to push it - its way easier in most high schools than in a huge lecture hall. I’m going through this with my son right now - which will likely go to trade school, but who could choose to go to college - he’s a above average but not brilliant kid. To keep the door open for him, we are making him take the two years of a foreign language - and the reason is “you might change your mind and decide to go to college.” ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/11 "2014-05-06T16:36:30Z")
“You’re sixteen. You don’t have any fucking idea what you’re going to be when you grow. Now shut up and do your algebra like **Miller** told you to do.” - a teacher ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/12 "2014-05-06T16:55:26Z")
I use myself as an example. I was certain, absolutely certain, that I was going to be an English teacher. Wtf did I need math for? I found out the answer to that when I decided to go to nursing school in my thirties. Do you know that many hospitals periodically give their nurses math tests now, and if they get just one wrong, they’re fired? True story. (Not to mention that one wrong with a patient’s medication could mean, y’know, death.) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/13 "2014-05-06T17:20:45Z")
This is the same thing as ‘Why is history relevant?’. Obviously history may not be relevant but the skills developed in learning history are valuable in all aspects of life. Teachers should be able to explain this to their students in a way they can understand. I recommend **Miller** ’s approach for that. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/14 "2014-05-06T18:13:02Z")
It’s not just about learning the material itself but demonstrating you have the ability and capacity to learn. When you grow up to be (X) and your boss tells you to do (Y) and you find yourself unable, then you’ll be fired and you’ll be (NOTHING). ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/15 "2014-05-06T18:19:10Z")
> [@pancakes3](#): > > It’s not just about learning the material itself but demonstrating you have the ability and capacity to learn. When you grow up to be (X) and your boss tells you to do (Y) and you find yourself unable, then you’ll be fired and you’ll be (NOTHING). Well, if it’s about demonstrating the ability and capacity to learn as you say, then shouldn’t the boss be giving you some sort of time to learn it if you don’t know right away? Otherwise, from your statement of a person getting fired for not knowing something, then what it’s really about is learning things before your boss asks for them (Then the student would go back to the beginning of saying they wouldn’t be in a field that requires that knowledge in the first place) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/16 "2014-05-06T19:19:58Z")
“So that you will know enough to know that what you just said is really, really stupid and makes you look like a willfully-lazy, uneducated ignoramus useful for nothing but unskilled labor. The fact that you said that out-loud, rather than just sat quietly and waited for the failure that accompanies the lazy shows that you are so foolish that you open your mouth to alert everyone in the room to just how foolish you are. Your ability to go through life willfully as an ignorant fool is the opposite of the reason that I went into teaching. Come, sit in the front row from now on.” ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/17 "2014-05-06T19:25:09Z")
Because the brain is like a muscle: you have to exercise it’s different areas. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/18 "2014-05-06T19:27:04Z")
Because if you don’t, you’ll fail. You are a student; learning is your job. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/19 "2014-05-06T20:44:42Z")
Former teacher. Part of my job description is helping kids see the relevance of my subject and get excited about it. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815/20 "2014-05-06T20:54:10Z")
Because specialization is for insects. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-teachers-re-im-not-going-to-be-an-x-so-why-do-i-have-to-learn-y/687815.md?page=2)